Cactus conservation in Bolivia

The project

The Comarapa region, in the Department of Santa Cruz, supports a high diversity of endemic cactus species which form a significant component of the local dry forest vegetation.

The Municipality of Comarapa has developed a local conservation initiative that includes the establishment of a Municipal Reserve in an area of relatively undisturbed vegetation alongside the Rio Misque, and a small botanic garden (Jardin de Cactáceas de Bolívia) in the village of Pulquina.

In addition to conservation, the objectives of this initiative included raising local awareness of biodiversity and promotion of ecotourism.

Kew's role

Kew, in collaboration with the Museu de Historia Natural Noel Kempff Mercado, worked with local partners in the following areas of activity:

• Vegetation survey and inventory of proposed conservation area and cactus garden
• Training local personnel in cactus propagation techniques
• Ex-situ and in-situ conservation of local cactus species
• Production of education and dissemination materials
• Material support for development of facilities and equipment in the cactus garden

Outputs

The principal output from the project has been the vegetation survey and inventory report, developed to support the development of a management plan for the reserve.

In addition, a poster was produced to raise local awareness of the importance of the region's plant diversity, of the need for its conservation, and of the existence of the reserve.

Interactive map and images of the cactus garden and local vegetation

Project developed with support from the Kew-Rio Tinto partnership